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April 14, 2025
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Beginner’s Guide to Post Cycle Therapy Everything You Need to Know

Overview of Post Cycle Therapy

Post-cycle therapy, or PCT, is a vital thing to do after taking anabolic steroids or SARMs. Hormone changes can cause muscle loss, tiredness, and other health problems if you don’t do the right PCT. Post Cycle Therapy supports the natural production of testosterone and helps you to keep as much muscle as possible without causing any adverse effects.

This guide tells you everything you need to know about PCT, such as when to start, what post-cycle therapy does what to take for post-cycle therapy, and the best ways to keep the weight off after a cycle.

What Is Post Cycle Therapy?

Post-cycle therapy (PCT) is a way to heal from performance-enhancing medications that help your body get back to its normal hormone levels. During a cycle, anabolic steroids, or SARMs, stop the body from making testosterone. When the cycle is over, testosterone levels are low, and estrogen levels might get high, which can have harmful effects.

The goal of PCT is to:

Stimulate natural testosterone production.
Reduce estrogen levels.
Prevent muscle loss and maintain gains.
Restore overall hormonal balance.

Is Post Cycle Therapy Necessary?

Most people who use anabolic steroids and some SARMs need to take PCT. If you don’t follow a good PCT, your body might have a hard time recovering, which could cause long-term problems like sadness, low testosterone, and muscle loss.

Who needs PCT?

Steroid users: All users of anabolic steroids require PCT.
SARMs users: Not all SARMs require PCT, but suppressive ones like RAD-140 and LGD-4033 do.
Prohormone users: These substances also suppress testosterone and require PCT.

Skipping PCT can lead to prolonged hormonal imbalances, making recovery much more challenging.

What Happens to Your Body After a Cycle?

When you finish a cycle, your body’s testosterone naturally drops. It takes time for your body to start making testosterone on its own again after using hormones from outside sources. It could cause:

Fatigue and low energy levels.
Depression and mood swings.
Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction.
Muscle loss and increased body fat.
Increased estrogen levels, leading to water retention and gynecomastia.

You might need months to heal if you don’t take PCT, and your body might not even make testosterone again in some cases.

The Purpose of PCT: How It Helps Recovery

PCT stops unpleasant side effects from happening and helps the body start making testosterone again. It is achieved with medicine that:

Stop estrogen from building up.
Boost the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which make testosterone.

PCT is essential for maintaining gains, preventing long-term health problems, and ensuring a smooth transition to natural hormone production.

Key PCT Medications and Their Role

Clomid PCT

Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) for PCT is an often used SERM. It helps the body make more testosterone by telling the pituitary gland to release more LH and FSH.
Typical dosage:50mg daily for the first two weeks, then 25mg daily for the next two weeks.
Benefits: Less muscle loss, faster testosterone rebound, and less estrogen’s effects.
Side Effects: Mood swings, headaches, and temporary vision disturbances.

Nolvadex PCT

Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) is another SERM used in PCT.
It stops estrogen receptors from working, lessening the effects of too much estrogen while naturally increasing testosterone production.
Typical dosage: 40mg daily for the first two weeks, then 20mg daily for the next two weeks.
Benefits: It stops gynaecomastia, boosts testosterone more quickly, and has fewer side effects than Clomid.
Side Effects: Nausea, hot flashes, mild mood changes.

Combining Clomid and Nolvadex can be a good PCT plan because they restore hormonal balance differently.

Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)

Arimidex (Anastrozole): Reduces estrogen levels and prevents estrogen-related side effects.
Letrozole: A stronger AI used in extreme cases of estrogen buildup.
Exemestane (Aromasin): A steroidal AI that permanently turns off the aromatase enzyme, preventing further estrogen conversion.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

Mimics luteinizing hormone (LH) and helps restore testicular function.
Best used before PCT to kickstart recovery.

Other PCT Medications

Raloxifene: A SERM similar to Nolvadex but more effective at preventing gynecomastia.
Toremifene: Another SERM alternative to Clomid with fewer side effects.
Cabergoline (Dostinex): Helps control prolactin levels, especially after cycles with 19-nor steroids like Deca and Trenbolone.
Tribulus Terrestris: A natural herb that supports testosterone production but is not strong enough to replace pharmaceutical PCT.

Natural Testosterone Boosters

D-aspartic acid, Zinc, Magnesium, and Vitamin D can support recovery but should not replace pharmaceutical PCT medications.

When to Start PCT?

What kind of steroids or SARMs were used in the cycle determines when the cycle starts:

Short-acting steroids (e.g., Anavar, Winstrol, Testosterone Propionate): Start PCT 3-4 days after the last dose.
Long-acting steroids (e.g., Testosterone Enanthate, Deca-Durabolin): Start PCT 2-3 weeks after the previous injection.
3. SARMs: Timing varies based on the SARM used.

For example:

Ostarine (mild suppression): PCT may not be necessary but can be started within a few days.
RAD-140 and LGD-4033 (strong suppression): Start PCT immediately after the last dose.

If you start PCT too early, your healing might not work as well, and if you wait too long, you might end up with chemical imbalances and lose muscle.

How Long Should Post-Cycle Therapy Last?

Standard PCT lasts 4 to 6 weeks.
Depending on the cycle length and suppression levels, some people may need PCT to be expanded.
Always check your blood to make sure your hormones are getting better.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Starting PCT Cycle

Before beginning your PCT cycle, consider the following:

Understand Your Cycle: Know what chemicals you use, how long they stay in your body, and how much they suppress you.
Get Bloodwork Done: Before you start PCT, check your hormone levels to determine the best course of action.
Choose the Right Medications: To strengthen your cycle, ensure you have the right PCT medicines.
Plan Your Diet and Training: Change what you eat and how often you work out to keep your muscles and help your hormones heal.
Have a Recovery Plan: Keep track of your progress and make changes as needed based on how your body reacts

Best PCT Cycle to Keep Gains

To maintain muscle mass after a cycle, follow these steps:

Use the proper PCT medication, such as Nolvadex, Clomid, and, if you want, AI.

To keep from losing muscle, don’t cut calories too drastically
Keep doing strength training, but make it a little less intense.
For hormone support, make sure you get enough protein and good fats.
Avoid having high cortisol levels by getting enough sleep and dealing with worry.

Conclusion

The most important thing to do after a steroid or SARM treatment is Post Cycle Therapy to keep your health and growth. It will be easier to get back to making your hormones if you pick the right medicines, take them at the correct times, and make changes to your food and way of life to help your healing.

Following an organized PCT can help you maintain your growth and set yourself up for long-term success in bodybuilding.